About
Derived from the Lao phrase meaning "do good," Heddi is our standard for every decision.
At Heddi Strategies, we believe strategy should create both business value and social good. We help leaders make decisions that strengthen organizations and communities at the same time.
Our work combines strategic rigor with human-centered thinking so our partners can grow responsibly, build trust, and create durable impact.
Our Mission
We partner with nonprofits, local governments, and purpose-driven organizations to help leaders turn good intent into clear strategy and measurable action — so people, communities, and organizations all benefit.
- check_circle Collective Impact
- check_circle Systems Change
- check_circle Equitable Communities
Our Philosophy
Heddi (ເຮັດດີ) — the Lao principle of doing good — is both our name and our north star. For us, that means more than good intentions. It means being thoughtful and deliberate in how we partner, who we center, and what we build together — because we believe real, lasting change happens when organizations and communities are equipped to lead it themselves.
The People Behind the Work
Courtney Douangdara
Founder & Managing Partner
Courtney Douangdara is the Founder and Managing Partner of Heddi Strategies, where she helps organizations, public agencies, and community partners move from good intentions to clear, effective action. Her work is rooted in the belief that lasting change happens through thoughtful strategy, strong partnerships, and solutions shaped by the real needs of people and communities.
With more than a decade of experience across local government, nonprofits, and cross-sector leadership, Courtney brings deep expertise in community development, strategic planning, grant management, policy implementation, and organizational capacity building. She has led complex initiatives related to affordable housing, behavioral health, homelessness response, workforce development, economic mobility, public safety, and downtown revitalization.
Before launching Heddi Strategies, Courtney served in leadership roles with the City of Denton and United Way of Denton County, where she managed multimillion-dollar local, state, and federal grant portfolios, strengthened operations and compliance systems, and helped guide collaborative efforts across agencies, nonprofits, and community stakeholders.
Courtney holds a Master of Arts in Community Organizing from Queen Mary University of London and a B.A. in Sociology from Southern Methodist University.
Building better futures with strategy that serves people.
The Heddi Standard